Welcome to Sott.net
Tue, 02 Nov 2021
The World for People who Think

Puppet Masters
Map

Jet2

Russian strategy in Syria shows political realism works


Sputnik
Wed, 16 Mar 2016 18:33 UTC
russian jets
© Sputnik/ Russian Defence Ministry
In Syria, Russia has demonstrated that political realism works in the twenty-first century, New York City-based political analyst Nikolay Pakhomov notes, adding that announcing the withdrawal of Russia's military contingent, President Putin "has shown, again, that he still calls the shots."

Russia's military campaign in Syria was launched in September 2015 in response to an official request from the legitimate, democratically-elected Syrian government, and it has revealed a lot about the country's foreign policy approach, writes Nikolay Pakhomov, a Russian International Affairs Council expert.

"One can argue about reasons for Russia's actions, but Moscow followed the procedures of international and domestic law. It was logical, then, that the pullout announcement was followed by the news of President Assad thanking Russia for its support... Russia's actions have shown that it is effective to deal with states according to the international law, rather than via slogans in editorial pages," Pakhomov writes in his article for The National Interest.

Summing up the results of Russia's aerial campaign in Syria, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu underscored that more than 9,000 flights have been carried out in the course of the operation.
      Read More...
Dominoes

US House declares ISIS is committing genocide in Middle East


RT
Tue, 15 Mar 2016 18:12 UTC
isis genocide christians
© Omar Sanadiki / Reuters
The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to declare that Islamic State is committing genocide against Christians and other minority groups in Iraq and Syria, increasing pressure on the Obama administration to follow suit.

In a unanimous 393-0 vote on Monday night, the House resolution comes just days before the State Department is legally mandated by Congress to determine whether Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) persecution of minorities in Iraq and Syria - Christians, Yazidis, Sunni Kurds and Shiite Muslims - constitutes genocide.

"What is happening in Iraq and Syria is a deliberate, systematic targeting of religious and ethnic minorities. Today, the House unanimously voted to call ISIS's atrocities what they are: a genocide. We also will continue to offer our prayers for the persecuted," House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) said in a statement.

Increasingly, governments and groups from around the world have declared IS behavior as genocide, including Pope Francis, the European Parliament, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, the Iraqi government, and US presidential candidates.

Comment: Too bad the House of Representatives didn't take their declaration a step further and call their own government out for their responsibility in the genocide in Syria and Iraq.

      Read More...
Snakes in Suits

"Operating like thugs": Independent journalist investigating UN corruption has press accreditation revoked and is banned from UN

Eva Bartlett
American Herald Tribune
Tue, 15 Mar 2016 17:58 UTC
un flag
"You guys are operating like thugs. Was I causing any disturbance? Maybe you can throw me in the street—that's what the guy did, he threw me in the street and threw the computer on the ground."
From a March 10 Soundcloud clip, these were some of the words of journalist Matthew R. Lee, of Inner City Press (ICP), for the second time in a month singled out for eviction from UN premises.

Lee had covered proceedings inside the UN eight years, with Resident Correspondent Accreditation, until his sudden expulsion on February 19, 2016, when he was indeed thrown on the street, laptop thrown on the ground, by UN security.

He/ICP is one of the only media with integrity asking the needed questions at the UN, and his voice is being silenced. This latest incident follows a series of harassments starting in January 2016, when Lee was forcibly evicted from UN premises on trumped up pretexts.
      Read More...
Snakes in Suits

Change in policy, or doublespeak? U.S. State Dept. says committed to "unified" Syria, will not support autonomous Kurdish zone


Sputnik
Wed, 16 Mar 2016 17:50 UTC
kurdistan syria
© AP Photo/ Alexander Kots/Komsomolskaya Pravda via AP

Comment: Since when does Washington take the same stance as Russia and Syria? Have they changed their policy, perhaps in tandem with Russia's decision to withdraw from Syria? Or are they simply lying as usual?


US Department of State spokesperson Mark Toner stated that Washington remains committed to the unity and territorial integrity of Syria.


Comment: "Remains"? Wrong word, Toner. Remains means it has always been your policy. It hasn't. Shades of 1984: "Oceania was at war with Eurasia: therefore Oceania had always been at war with Eurasia."


The United States will not recognize a 'self-rule' semi-autonomous Kurdish zone in Syria and remains committed to the country's unity, US Department of State spokesperson Mark Toner told Sputnik on Wednesday.

A representative of the Syrian Kurdistan administration told Sputnik that representatives from various Syrian peoples, including Kurds, will discuss the possibility of Syria's federalization at the Geneva reconciliation talks later on Wednesday.

"We have not and will not recognize any 'self-rule' semi-autonomous zone," Toner stated. "We remain committed to the unity and territorial integrity of Syria."

The representative explained that a joint commission of about 100 individuals plans to discuss Syria's future, including the federalization of the country.
      Read More...
Yoda

China PM: Relations between Russia and China will not be affected by external pressure


RT
Wed, 16 Mar 2016 17:50 UTC
putin xi
© How Hwee Yong / Reuters
Relations between Beijing and Moscow will not be affected by any changes in the international situation, according to Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, adding that the two countries are strategic partners.

"China is developing relations with Russia on the principles of mutual respect and benefits," he told reporters during a news conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

The prime minister says the regular meetings between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin strengthens political and economic cooperation between the two countries.

When asked about pressure from the US and other countries, the Chinese Premier said Beijing pursues an independent foreign policy and does not feel pressure from any countries.
      Read More...
Pirates

Dangerous pro-Monsanto Food Labeling Law on the verge of passing the Senate

Andrew Kimbrell
Alternet
Tue, 15 Mar 2016 16:52 UTC
GMO senate bill
© arindambanerjee/Shutterstock
The GOP-sponsored bill would make it difficult to know which foods are genetically engineered—unless you own a smartphone.

What would you think of a law that clearly discriminates against rural Americans, lower income Americans, minorities and the elderly? No chance of getting passed, right? Wrong. The Senate is poised to pass such a bill.

The revised Dark Act, sponsored by Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS), has been introduced as an amendment to S. 764, and would preempt the laws of Vermont, Connecticut, Maine and Alaska that call for the labeling of genetically engineered food and substitute an unconscionable, discriminatory alternative. The Roberts bill is so discriminatory it may be unconstitutional and a violation of equal treatment under the law.
      Read More...
Yoda

Putin wisely avoids getting stuck in a Syrian quagmire

Ray McGovern
Consortium News
Tue, 15 Mar 2016 15:58 UTC
putin taking oath
© Kremlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin taking the presidential oath at his third inauguration ceremony on May 7, 2012.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's abrupt announcement that Russia would begin "the withdrawal of the main part" of its military "contingent" from Syria has been widely seen not only as a welcome surprise, but also as a hopeful fillip to serious negotiations to end the carnage in what is left of that beleaguered country.

As always, a modicum of skepticism is warranted the "morning after," but the pledge to pull out the bulk of the Russian force seems genuine and, at this writing, the withdrawal is already under way. Putin's announcement appears to mark the beginning of the end of Russia's key but limited military intervention - the game-changer that started on Sept. 30, 2015, with Russian air strikes that enabled the Syrian army to regain lost ground, sever jihadist supply lines to Turkey, and drive rebels from hundreds of towns and cities.

Putin was clear in noting the Russian military presence that will remain in Syria, but was not so clear on its future use: "Our naval base in Tartus and airbase at Khmeimim will operate 'as usual'. They are to be safely protected from land, sea, and air."
      Read More...
Magnify

Syrian rebel spy chief: CIA ignored data showing rise of ISIS since 2013


RT
Wed, 16 Mar 2016 15:34 UTC
cia emblem
© Saul Loeb / AFP

Comment: The spy chief is being charitable. Not only did the CIA ignore data, they also helped facilitate the rise of ISIS with guns, money and training (not unlike the Free Syrian Army). Of course they ignored the warnings, they were instrumental in its rise!


The Free Syrian Army's 'spy chief' told Le Monde his agents had been gathering intelligence from within Islamic State's ranks since its emergence, but the CIA largely ignored data that could have helped suppress the terror group from the outset.

The Free Syrian Army's spymaster, codenamed "M", in an exclusive to Le Monde, told the newspaper he had been sending "very detailed reports" on Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL), based on field data from his agents, to his CIA contacts for two years.

The intelligence gave critical insight into IS' pivot to Iraq and Syria, and included GPS coordinates, maps, photographs, phone numbers and even IP addresses, "M" said.

"From the moment Daesh (an Arabic pejorative acronym for IS) had 20 members to when it had 20,000, we have shown everything to the Americans. When we asked them what they did with this information, they always gave evasive answers, saying it was in the hands of decision-makers."
      Read More...
Roses

Second batch of Russian jets leaves Khmeimim airbase in Syria


RT
Wed, 16 Mar 2016 14:16 UTC
Russian fighter jet
© Igor Kovalenko / Sputnik
Pilots of Russian Su-34 bomber jets from Syria welcomed home at an airbase in Voronezh region.
The second group of Russian warplanes left the Khmeimim airbase in Syria's Latakia province on Wednesday morning, the Russian Ministry of Defense has announced.

"Another group of Russian aircraft took off from the airbase in Khmeimim heading to places of permanent deployment on the territory of the Russian Federation," the military statement said.

The ministry added that the new batch of planes comprising Su-25 fighter jets is led by a strategic airlifter, the Il-76. All planes returning to home bases in Russia are flying in "flocks" headed by a "leader" aircraft - either Tu-154 or Il-76 transport aircraft - that carries the technical engineering crew, along with other cargo.


Comment: Congratulations on a job well done! The world and the Syrian people thank you, and we hope you all enjoy your much needed and deserved time with family and friends.

      Read More...
Pills

Western drug companies tested products on East Germans during Cold War, new report states


RT
Wed, 16 Mar 2016 13:03 UTC
pills
© Reuters
For the duration of the Cold War, Western drug companies tested medication on East Germans, a medical report reveals. The companies are accused of using GDR's dictatorship and low accountability to citizens to commercial advantage.

The report by the Berlin-based Institute of Medical History and Ethics details 900 experiments that took place between 1961 and 1989, as well as some 300 clinical trials. Of the companies involved, there were American, French and British firms, among others. A total of 75 companies from 16 different countries took part in the gargantuan project; these included heavyweights like Pfizer and Bayer.

Researchers had to use the help of a medical historian for two-thirds of the data, for which no documented evidence was available.

The scheme was apparently designed as a quick fix for the cash-strapped GDR, the authors write. Initially it was thought the main incentive was lower personnel costs.

"The GDR authorities gave their country's health system over to Western companies and a research laboratory, in order to finance their own cash-strapped planned economy," the authors claim. There were "considerable time and efficiency gains which the dictatorial GDR regime could offer."

Despite this ominous association with human experimentation, it turned out the trial meds were actually tested in accordance with international standards of the time.

In conclusion, the authors weren't able to find any evidence of systematic breaches of conduct.

Comment: The trials may have been done in accordance with international standards, but consider the following about how such standards are no guarantee of safety:

      Read More...
Amazon Smile
Revolt! T-shirts